How Depressing!

[Rescued One]

Above all, we must believe what the Scriptures tell us, that children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward (Ps. 127:3). Having children is not for the faint of heart. Kids are expensive. They are messy and exhausting. They take your time and can break your heart. They probably will never love you as much as you love them. Let’s not be romantic about it: Children are a burden. But they are also one of the greatest earthly blessings. Have we turned Rachel’s cry of desperation on its head, asking God to keep children from us lest we die to ourselves? The promise to Abraham of progeny was not his curse, and neither is it ours. A man like a warrior with arrows in his hand, a wife like a fruitful vine, and children like olive shoots around the table—these are the Lord’s blessings from Zion.

The Case for Kids | Clearly Reformed

In this article written for First Things, Kevin writes about why people are not having children around the world and how to respond.

clearlyreformed.org

 

[Rescued One]

Are rebellious non-elect adult children a blessing? I'm seriously confused.

 

[fastfredy0]

Are rebellious non-elect adult children a blessing? I'm seriously confused.

IMO ...
If the parents are not elect, then I don't see a difference.
If the parents are elect, then the blessing is diminished unless they are unaware the children are not elect.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Are rebellious non-elect adult children a blessing? I'm seriously confused.

All we know is whether someone is a practicing Christian or not, not whether they are elect.

Someone who appears unsaved and highly rebellious today doesn't mean they won't be saved in the future.

We don't love based on whatever merits we think our children will possess, we love them because they are our family. If they become a trial to us, then it's a trial God intended for our good, and it's to us to learn from it; persevere through it - help them through.

 

[Rescued One]

Well, I guess my questions are aswered. Thanks.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Well, I guess my questions are aswered. Thanks.

I suppose I am not really sure what the question was, or why you are asking.

 

[makesends]

Are rebellious non-elect adult children a blessing? I'm seriously confused.

It's a good question, but as we all unavoidably do, asked from a human mindset. Children of those who themselves are born and raised in a humanistic society —particularly a Godless society— ask the question from a self-centered point-of-view. A proper answer should involve the fact that having (or not having) children is not about us, but about God's use of us and of them.

For those 'in Christ', "blessing" has many facets or uses or definitions. The main blessing, and the greatest, for a believer, should be the joy of God using that person for God's own benefit. In this context, I think I'll leave off here, for you to draw your own implications and inferences.

 

[CrowCross]

It's a good question, but as we all unavoidably do, asked from a human mindset. Children of those who themselves are born and raised in a humanistic society —particularly a Godless society— ask the question from a self-centered point-of-view. A proper answer should involve the fact that having (or not having) children is not about us, but about God's use of us and of them.

For those 'in Christ', "blessing" has many facets or uses or definitions. The main blessing, and the greatest, for a believer, should be the joy of God using that person for God's own benefit. In this context, I think I'll leave off here, for you to draw your own implications and inferences.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 

[makesends]

Above all, we must believe what the Scriptures tell us, that children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward (Ps. 127:3). Having children is not for the faint of heart. Kids are expensive. They are messy and exhausting. They take your time and can break your heart. They probably will never love you as much as you love them. Let’s not be romantic about it: Children are a burden. But they are also one of the greatest earthly blessings. Have we turned Rachel’s cry of desperation on its head, asking God to keep children from us lest we die to ourselves? The promise to Abraham of progeny was not his curse, and neither is it ours. A man like a warrior with arrows in his hand, a wife like a fruitful vine, and children like olive shoots around the table—these are the Lord’s blessings from Zion.

The Case for Kids | Clearly Reformed

In this article written for First Things, Kevin writes about why people are not having children around the world and how to respond.

clearlyreformed.org

Probably most serious Bible scholars would, as sound hermeneutics would require, mention the mindset/worldview difference between the old world cultures and most modern cultures, in discussing those biblical principles. When procreation was culturally important, children were indeed (generally) a blessing. Consider the dynamics involved in the stories of Hannah, Rebekah, Rachel and Sarah.

 

[CrowCross]

Probably most serious Bible scholars would, as sound hermeneutics would require, mention the mindset/worldview difference between the old world cultures and most modern cultures, in discussing those biblical principles. When procreation was culturally important, children were indeed (generally) a blessing. Consider the dynamics involved in the stories of Hannah, Rebekah, Rachel and Sarah.

Psalms 127:3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children<a href="Psalm 127 ESV" title="Or sons">a</a> of one’s youth.
5Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

 

[Rescued One]

Are rebellious non-elect adult children a blessing? I'm seriously confused.

This was the question. Maybe they are a blessing in disguise. Apparently we can't know if they are non-elect.